Starting my bridge!!

[dstig1]

Looking good. I might suggest you add angle braces to both sides of the center posts. That should help the railing act a bit more like a truss so it can't fold down like a parallelogram if it gets overloaded. But if you are keeping the loads low, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Doorman63]

Looking good. I might suggest you add angle braces to both sides of the center posts. That should help the railing act a bit more like a truss so it can't fold down like a parallelogram if it gets overloaded. But if you are keeping the loads low, then I wouldn't worry about it.

I need 4 pieces angle approx 10’ long to go from post to post…..I only have 2….sigh.

 

[Doorman63]

Working on my additional supports for the deck

2x2 tubing welded to the angles on the ends and the tube in the center.

1” cold rolled torsion shaft welded on top of those.

Cutting my span between 3x3 tubes to 13”.

 

[Doorman63]

Throwing on some of the decking

 

[Doorman63]

Back at the “farm” this weekend by myself.

Gonna finish up all the steel work and prep for concrete.


Going to make my diagonal braces out of 1/2 rebar. I’ll weld some 3/16 flat plate to the ends so it’s easier to weld to the posts. High on the end posts and low on the center posts will put the rebar in tension.

Last weekend we were here as a family so I didn’t have my welder/truck. I spent some time packing in some clay on the far side approach to the bridge.

I’m also going to weld a rebar cage on the near side of the bridge for my abutment/approach. Hopefully I’ll get it formed up as well. Looks like 10’x2’x18” deep should be about 1.7yds of concrete.

 

[Doorman63]

Slow start this AM

Breakfast at the General Store/coffee shop was laid back.

Neighbor came by with his grader box and cleaned up my driveway.

I did get my diagonals fabbed up and welded in.

Taking a short break and starting on my rebar cage in the approach

 

[LD1]

Can't wait to see the final deflection tests

 

[Doorman63]

Can't wait to see the final deflection tests

Gonna work on that in about an hour

Might run outta small stuff to drive out there!

 

[Doorman63]

@LD1

No test today…..neighbor has an issue with his door on his shed.

Tomorrow for sure!

 

[2manyrocks]

Looking good. I might suggest you add angle braces to both sides of the center posts. That should help the railing act a bit more like a truss so it can't fold down like a parallelogram if it gets overloaded. But if you are keeping the loads low, then I wouldn't worry about it.

I suspect the center is where there would be more issues because the weight on the ends is partly being transferred to the ground, but the center is where the steel has to carry the most load. I think it would be a good idea to beef up the center posts with braces.

 

[Doorman63]

I suspect the center is where there would be more issues because the weight on the ends is partly being transferred to the ground, but the center is where the steel has to carry the most load. I think it would be a good idea to beef up the center posts with braces.

I made rebar braces from the top of the end posts to the bottom of the center posts this morning

 

[Doorman63]

No load testing……
Because concrete!!



Also poured some concrete in the barn.

Hopefully if the weather holds up tomorrow we can load test again

 

[Doorman63]

Finished the deck today!!!
Might load test today still……energy level low…..

Tomorrows forecast is for some rain.
If I can dodge raindrops I’ll do the test

 

[two_bit_score]

Looking good!

 

[KDubU]

Looks good, good luck! Hope all goes well.

 

[sandman2234]

I am a little late to this party. Nice looking bridge. I had to read the whole 22 pages in one sitting, so may have missed a lot.
I am wondering one thing about the load calculations on the downward force of the bridge trusses which the side rails appear to have compensated for.
Where the angle iron is welded to the thin box tubing, and the crossmembers for the boards are placed, isn't the load actually on the angle iron, and the angle iron puts a twisting load on the crossmembers? Since the truss tubes are thin walled material, and the angle iron is supported by only one side of the tubing, won't the angle iron attempt to bow the inner side of the main beams towards the center of the bridge, thereby changing all of the straight down calculations of the support members?
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

image sent from phone to help with above post.
David from jax

 

[scootr]

And the onlookers chant...
Load test. Load test. load test....

 

[sandman2234]

I would consider drilling holes in the side of the beams and either bolting large fender washers, or small plates to transfer the side load of the angle iron on the side of the tubing, which would help spread the twisting effects of the angle iron to the single side of the truss member. A lot more work, but may be worth it.
David from jax

 

[EddieWalker]

What is a "Load Test"?